UPDATED: Aberdeen Hospital switching to natural gas

The Aberdeen Hospital is one of seven that are going to be switched to natural gas.

Aberdeen Hospital

The Aberdeen Hospital is one of seven that are going to be switched to natural gas.

"By burning natural gas, our hospitals will be using a cleaner source of energy that is better for the environment and creates savings that can be put directly into patient care, which is where Nova Scotians want to see their money invested," said Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness.

Planning will begin immediately.

The earliest the project will be completed is 2016, a spokesperson for the department of health and wellness said.

Government will invest $9.7 million with projected savings in the millions once all seven have been fully converted.

As they’re currently entering the design phase, they’re not sure yet how much each facility will cost.

They don’t anticipate the money to be spread evenly among the seven facilities. Instead, the age and existing infrastructure in the building will determine the cost.

The other hospitals are Yarmouth Regional, Valley Regional in Kentville, South Shore Regional in Bridgewater, Colchester Regional in Truro, St. Martha's Regional in Antigonish, and Cape Breton Regional in Sydney.

Four hospitals currently use natural gas: Cumberland Health Centre in Amherst, Dartmouth General, Halifax Infirmary, and the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.

Converted hospitals will be able to switch between natural gas and furnace oil, whichever is most cost effective at any given time.